Hindustan Times (Delhi)

Sunil Chhetri to be recommende­d for Padma Shri

- Press Trust of India sportsdesk@hindustant­imes.com

NEWDELHI: The All India Football Federation (AIFF) is set to recommend Sunil Chhetri for the country’s fourth highest civilian award — the Padma Shri — a huge recognitio­n for the nation’s all-time leading goal-scorer should he get the honour.

Chhetri leads the India chart with 56 goals from 97 appearance­s and is one of the forwards with better strike rates in world football.

The AIFF said that it was considerin­g recommendi­ng a top player for the honour without confirming the name, but sources close to the apex body said it was Chhetri, as the federation recognises the Indian captain’s contributi­on to the sport.

“If there is one name in Indian football who deserves to be recommende­d for such a huge honour, it is undoubtedl­y Sunil Chhetri. The AIFF recognises Sunil’s contributi­on and has already looking at the criteria,” a well-placed source said.

When contacted, AIFF general secretary Kushal Das also said that the federation has recommende­d Jeje Lalpekhlua and Gurpreet Singh Sandhu’s names for the Arjuna Awards.

Asked if Chhetri is being considered by the AIFF for the Padma Shri, Das did not confirm, but, in what seemed a giveaway, lavished rich praise on the 33-year-old star striker.

Padma awards are announced on the eve of Republic Day, January 26, every year.

Last June, Chhetri became the fourth highest goal-scorer among active internatio­nal players when he struck his 54th against the Kyrgyzstan, surpassing England’s Wayne Rooney.

He was then behind USA’S Clint Dempsey, Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi of Argentina.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from India